Billy Ray Wilder

Published 9:07 pm Monday, September 29, 2008

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Billy Ray Wilder, 73, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at his home in New Smyrna Beach. He was a native of Tifton and was a student at Annie Belle Clark Grammar School before his family moved to New Smyrna Beach in 1943.

Following his graduation from New Smyrna Beach High School in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for a four-year term. He then attended California College of Mortuary Science, Los Angeles. Upon his return to New Smyrna Beach he obtained his Florida funeral director and embalmer licenses. He retired from Settle-Wilder Funeral Home in 1994 for medical reasons.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and a former member of the Kiwanis Club, New Smyrna Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Naveda; five children, Tracie Marie Whipple, Orlando, Fla., Robert E. Wilder, Atlanta, Chris Humphrey, Catherine Couture and Cynthia Canfield, all of New Smyrna Beach; brother T.C. Wilder Jr., New Smyrna Beach; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; uncle, James Hugh Varner, Huntsville, Ala.; several aunts including Mae Jackson Varner, Tifton and Christine Jordan Varner of Jacksonville; numerous cousins, including David Wilder, New Smyrna Beach, T Mac Wilder, Tifton, James Evers, Ocilla, Sandra White, Sylvester and Joyce Morgan, Fitzgerald.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Clinton Wilder Sr. and Susie Mae Varner Wilder, and a brother, Thomas David Wilder.

Funeral services and military honors for Billy Ray were held in Settle-Wilder Funeral Home Chapel at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, Florida Affiliate Volusia/Flagler, 555 W. Granada Blvd., Suite A-1, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.

Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.